Congratulations to Emerson Bern, our 2022 Laddie G. Andahazy Horseman's Cup Recipient.

Emerson Bern is an upcoming Junior at Orange High School. In November of 2022 she was nominated for and received the Laddie G. Andahazy Horsemanship award. The award is in memory of Laddie G. Andahazy, who was a very talented horseman. He was also very influential to the riding community itself, bringing the first Grand Prix to North America. The nominees of this award show great sportsmanship along with horsemanship and time management.

Emerson has been training with Cindy Foster the past four years. Even if she isn’t riding she loves being around horses. Currently she is showing in the 3’3” juniors with LaRoxx, who is owned by Cindy Foster. Emerson would like to thank Cindy, her past trainers, her dad, other friends and family, and especially all the horses in her life who made her the person and rider she is today.

Congratulations to Jenna Drago, our 2021 Laddie G. Andahazy Horseman's Cup Recipient.

The OPHA Awards Banquet will be on November 12, 2021 at Driftwood@Landerhaven. More details coming soon!

The OPHA Board has added a new rule governing horse shows: The OPHA abides by USEF rules and guidelines for suspended members. If any member of the OPHA is currently on the USEF Suspension List, that member as well as anyone doing business for or acting on behalf of said member, will not be permitted to attend or participate in any capacity at any OPHA sanctioned horse show, regardless of rating. Failure to comply will result in being asked to immediately vacate the horse show as well as a retraction of any points or awards earned. The venue and/or horse show manager/owner is responsible for checking the list of suspensions on the USEF website if there is a question of whether or not an exhibitor/trainer is allowed at the shows. Please refer to rule GR704 in the USEF rulebook for additional details.

The OPHA Board has added a new level to the High Score Honors for Schooling Riders: In addition to Bronze (17 points), Silver (30 points), and Gold (50 points), Schooling Riders may now earn a Platinum Award for earning 100 points.

Schooling Show Riders are those who compete in the following divisions: Walk/Trot Groundpoles, Walk/Trot Crosspoles, Walk/Trot/Canter Crosspoles, Pre-Limit Rider, Limit Rider, and Novice Rider.

Congratulations to Mary Sveda our 2020 Laddie G. Andahazy Horseman's Cup Recipient Pictured with her trainer Alyssa Huffman

2020 Scholarship Information please click here.

3 New Divisions: The OPHA is adding 3 new divisions for this year and a Green Hunter Reinstatement

Leadline: This division is for riders 8 years of age and under who have never shown in any equestrian discipline. Rider may not enter in any other class or division except Hunter Breeding. 'Special needs' riders may have age requirements waived by show committee. This class must be placed on the judge's card regardless of ribbons awarded. Gold Level: 30 points, Silver Level 20 points, Bronze level 10 points

Walk/Trot Ground Poles: To be shown over a simple course with a minimum of four poles on the ground. The poles should be trotted and riders may walk on the corners to re-establish control if needed. Slight mistakes will not be heavily penalized. Participants are no longer eligible once the rider has competed in any other OPHA division or classes.

Pre-Limit Rider: (fence height 1'6"): No more than six entries to canter at one time. Course may be trotted. Slight mistakes will not be heavily penalized. Riders may also compete for points in either the Walk/Trot/Canter division or Limit Rider division.

Green Hunter Reinstatement: The OPHA will keep your horse's or pony's Green status consistent with their USEF Green status. You must apply to waive or reinstate your horse's or pony's Green status with USEF by September 1. See https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-announces- modifications-to-green. As soon as you have gone through the USEF's application process for waive or reinstate, please contact OPHA's Point Secretary (Heather Lampman, hflampman@gmail.com; call or text 440-479- 7905) so the status will also apply to OPHA. September 1 is the last day to let OPHA know. There is no cost to change a horse's or pony's green status with OPHA.

Congratulations to Marianna George our 2019 OPHA Mike Rheinheimer Scholarship Winner Pictured with her trainer Alex Shokat

The OPHA is excited to announce that we will offer Triple Points at the 2020 Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic Horse Show at the Metro Parks Polo Field both Opening and Rated Week July 2-12.

NEW - Silver Stirrup Sponsorship Level has been added to our award sponsor levels. Any sponsorship between $200 - $500 will be part of our Silver Stirrup Sponsors.This level includes the opportunity to utilize the Swag Bag and name listed as a Silver Stirrup Sponsor at the Banquet and in the program.

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS: We have sponsorship levels available for our Awards Banquet. Please click here for more information.

Mike Rheinheimer Scholarship: The application can be found under our Docs & Forms page.

Silent Auction: We are looking for auction items for our fundraiser at the Awards Banquet. Please contact Liz Weinstock if you have an item you would like to donate. Liz: 216-956-1028 ElizJo@aol.com

Showing Indoors? Congratulations! and Good Luck! Send us pictures so we can put them in our Bit Box, send to ophanewsletter@gmail.com

End of Year Points: We are getting near the end of the show season. If you have any concerns, please Contact Heather.

Why Join OPHA? Click Here.

Ask the Vet is new to our Bit Box - submit a question for the veterinarian. We will then publish the question and answer in the Bit Box.
Submit your question to ophanewsletter@gmail.com, you need to be under the age of 18,include your name & age. We will not publish your name if you would prefer us not to. We want to thank Cleveland Equine Clinic with help in this new educational program.

The OPHA is excited to offer Triple Points at the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic this year.
Show dates are July 4 -14, 2019 visit www.chagrinhunterjumperclassic.org
Make sure you join & nominate your horse or pony, just hit JOIN above.

If you are not sure what division you should apply for talk to your trainer and if you have any other question please contact us and we will be happy to help. Click Contact Us.

The OPHA would like to welcome Hinckley Eq Center to the OPHA Horse Show Calendar. Their shows are June 29, July 20.

We want to congratulate Laila Latifi for being honored with the Mike Rheinheimer OPHA Scholarship and also winning the Laddie G. Andahazy Horsemen's Cup.

The Benedejic Family, Kris Kurta, Dana Miller and Stephen Comunale were most generous in their donations to the Mike Rheinheimer OPHA Scholarship.
It is very much appreciated and we hope to grow the Scholarship next year.

Our new show year has begun, make sure all of you trainers, exhibitors and horses and ponies renew or join for your first time. Its easy, just click JOIN above or you can print off form and mail in. Any questions please let us know, we are here to help you.

Don't forget to sign up for the Bit Box, news, updates,articles, fun photos, advertising. Tell others to sign up.

The OPHA wishes you all a fun and safe show season.

We are very excited to report that the OPHA is now an official 501(c)(3) Federal Non- Profit Organization. We will be sending out more information soon.

NO Triple Point Horse Show: There will be NO Triple Point Show this year for 2017-2018 season. The last week for points to count this year, will be October 20-21, 2018. Please check your OPHA point on the web site. If you see any discrepancies, please e-mail Heather at hflampman@gmail.com or click on Report Issues on the web site.

Silent Auction: If you have an item you or a business would like to donate to our Silent Auction at our Banquet November 16 please let us know. Go to, Contact Us above and let us know what you would like to donate.

The Bit Box comes out every month, make sure you subscribe to the newsletter, great way to keep up on what is happening with the OPHA. Encourage others to subscribe too, if you have a Facebook page please post The Bit Box.

The Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic, Opening weekend starts July 5. Join the OPHA at the Breakfast Tent July 5, 6 & 7. Educational Program at the CHJC Saturday, July 7 at 10:30. Meet us at the Breakfast Tent.

We will be visiting tack shops where you can ask about tack, dressing yourself or your pony & horse for a show, horse related products and more. Hope to see you there!

Our Calendar has been updated for OPHA Horse Shows.
The 2017 - 2018 Rule Book under Docs & Forms is up and revised.
*Check out the jump heights in Open, Junior & Amateur Jumper, reflects USEF heights.
*Schooling Rider Medal - some specs have been changed.
Please make sure you read the Rule Book - know the rules for your classes/divisions.
Most importantly make sure you are a member, your horse of pony are nominated.

Public lesson programs information has been listed under the directory, if you would like your program listed please contact us.

The Bit Box: Our new monthly online newsletter. News, updates, photos, interesting facts, short articles from veterinarians, stewards, advertising opportunities. Join by clicking on the link in the right side banner of the web site.

Memberships - The show year has started, did you renew your membership and nominate your horse or pony? Easy online JOIN on OPHA home page or print out form from Docs & Forms.

Membership and nomination forms cannot be given at horse shows to the secretary. They must be mailed in or done online.

Mike Rheinheimer:

Mike was born on April 12, 1963 in Noblesville, Indiana and passed away on December 1, 2017. He was a resident of Chardon for 10 years. Michael graduated in 1981 from Noblesville High School in Indiana and attended Western State University where he played football. He was a Horse Show manager at National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden. Michael was the Course Designer at shows including Winter Equestrian Festival, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, USEF Pony Finals, National Horse Show and the Capital Challenge. He was the American Hunter jumper Foundation Course Designer of the Year in 2009 and was inducted in Football Hall of Fame at Noblesville High School. Michael loved fishing, jump building, wood carving, metal working, drawing, and playing cards. His two daughters, his fiancé, family time, fishing, and his barn and work family gave Michael the most enjoyment in life. He will be remembered most as a father to all, compassionate, outgoing, hardworking and a goofball. Michael was a mentor to many, dedicated, passionate and giving. He was larger than life and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made on behalf of his daughters and sent, c/o Amanda Lyerly, to 12020 Claridon-Troy Rd., Chardon, OH 44024 or in his memory to USHJA Foundation’s Horseman’s Assistance Fund at 3870 Cigar Lane, Lexington, KY 40511.

Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Michael at the DeJohn Funeral Home & Celebrations Center of Chesterland, 12811 Chillicothe Road (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.) Thursday, December 7, 1-3 PM.

OPHA Spring Festival Horse Show will be held May 4-7 at Chagrin Valley Farms We have added OPPORTUNITY CLASSES on Sunday, they will be held in the indoor ring. We look forward to seeing you there!

Trainers, riders, owners please remember to join the OPHA for this show season. Nominate your horse or pony. Easy, just click Join at the top of the page or print out a form under Docs & Forms.

Ellie Meil is our 2016 Laddie G. Andahazy Horsemen's Cup Award winner. We congratulate Ellie and her trainer Shirley Kopas!

We want to wish all a fun and safe show year!

Our new show year has begun, please make sure you are a member of the OPHA and your horse is nominated. You can do that on line, or you can print a membership form on the Docs and Forms page.

Rule changes for 2017 have been posted on the docs page.

CVPHA Benefit - "Harry & Snowman" movie. A documentary featuring footage of Harry deLeyer, his family and Snowman. Only one showing in our area! Sunday Nov. 6 at 4 pm, Chagrin Cinema, 8200 E. Washington St, Chargin Fall. It's easy to buy tickets on the homepage of the CVPHA website. Click the button and it will take you to paypal and a menu of ticket choices. www.chagrinhunterjumperclassic.org.

You must call Susan Bernstein for your stall reservations @ 440-343-3945.

Advertising for the Championship Issue of the OPHA News Magazine is Monday November 7th. You can find advertising information under Docs & Forms.

Monday October 10 is our OPHA meeting at TRC. Professional meeting is at 6 pm and open meeting is at 7 pm.

Schneiders Saddlery, Big Dee's Tack and Chagrin Saddlery again this year will sponsor our Exhibitors Parties! We thank them for their continued generous support to our OPHA. We encourage you to shop local and support these wonderful businesses.

Please contact Lori Proch at lproch@DawsonCompanies.com or call her on her cell phone 330-348-9297. You must return your trophy at the OPHA Last Chance Horse Show or before by contacting Lori to make "special arrangements".